Stranded UAE Expats Face Possibility of Expired Visas as the Emirates Uphold Travel Restrictions

This article is reviewed regularly (on a monthly basis) by Wego' s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated 23 July 2021

While the UAE remains open for visitors from most of the world, the country also maintains a list of countries from where general entry is not currently possible.

This restriction has inadvertently proven to be an obstacle for many expat residents now stranded in their home countries and prospect of visa expiry jeopardizes jobs and threatens to further split families apart.

UAE travel ban preventing expats from returning

The travel suspensionbeing enforced by the UAE government currently extends to a total of 16 countries. Expat residents originating from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Nepal, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia, are barred from entering the UAE. It is estimated that thousands of residents are now stranded across these 16 countries.

Additionally, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has made it unequivocally clear that the travel suspension will remain in force until the situation improves considerably. This naturally bodes ill for residents who have been stranded for months on end in their home countries.

Stranded UAE expats facing visa expiry problem

Thousands of holders of UAE resident visa are now facing uncertainty as they are left stranded with no possible way of entry into the UAE. With little chance of extending their residency visas from abroad, the threat of visa expiry along with its less-than-desirable implications imminently approaches.

The general rule of the residency visa stipulates that should an expat resident live outside UAE for more than six consecutive months, their residency visa will automatically be nullified. Additionally, the Emirates ID card issued by Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) also expires along with the visa.

Should this occur, they will have no option but to re-apply for a new entry permit. While there are exceptions to the rule, they don't really accommodate expat residents working outside the public and government sectors.

Some residents with the means of 'circumventing' the system have been able to return to the UAE by way of chartered flights. The price for such chartered plane tickets has been reported to be quite steep, with some paying AED 25,000 per ticket. Some have also opted to spend 14 days or more in a third country before continuing on to the UAE. These residents have been observed purchasing quarantine packages in countries such as Armenia, Ethiopia, Qatar, Serbia, and Uzbekistan. On average, the cost of such quarantine packages is around AED 9,000.

Others, however, are not so fortunate.

Expired residency visa rules

A residence visa may only be issued to a foreign national after he/she has been granted entry into the UAEby way of an entry permit, short or long-term tourist or visit visa.

Those whose residency visas have expired are unfortunately left with no choice but to re-apply for their entry permit and residency visa. When the visa expires, their Emirates ID card also expires.

Under normal circumstances, an expired visa will also incur fine per day.

For more information on how to apply for a residence visa and what happens when the visa expires, please consult the following government website.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.